Presidential Race Induces
Creation of Index Strategies

In the electoral-battleground state of Michigan, political junkie Jonas Ferris is keeping a close eye on the presidential race -- and he is hoping to profit from it.

Mr. Ferris runs a small, closely held Internet company, Maxfunds.com, which has created stock indexes based on corporate contributors to Republicans and Democrats. Since Aug. 1, the site found that the rise of Democratic candidate Al Gore in the polls has correlated with...